Saint John, Order of, is a nondenominational Christian order devoted to the relief of human suffering. It provides services to people of all races, religions, and social classes. The order’s full name is The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Membership in the order is an honor granted with the approval of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The order operates mainly through two foundations—the St. John Ambulance and the St. John Eye Hospital.
The St. John Ambulance is made up of hundreds of thousands of unpaid volunteers who are trained to give first aid at public gatherings. It treats millions of people in over 40 countries. It also holds classes for the public in first aid and related subjects. The St. John Eye Hospital, an eye treatment center in Jerusalem, is supported by voluntary donations. It operates mobile units to treat people in remote parts of the Middle East.
The Order of St. John stems from a medieval order, the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, whose members were called the Knights Hospitallers (see Knights Hospitallers). The present order was established in the United Kingdom by royal charter in 1888. Headquarters are in London.
